Treated to a full midweek programme under floodlight, here’s the weekly wander through the first of two gameweek’s in the next seven days, as I summarise my thoughts on where the points and pergatory might be found…

Best for Clean Sheets

The big two defences – United and Chelsea – face relegation threatened opposition. On paper then, they immediately look safe bets to reap some defensive rewards. Let’s not get complacent however, further examination reveals some cracks.

Chelsea have proved brittle at set-plays of late and, although they lineup against a Boro side in wretched form, Chelsea will likely take the field without Carvalho and Terry. Boro do at least have Alves in form and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them nick one if they can exploit Downing’s dead-ball delivery. As for United, they visit the Hawthorns in search of a record-breaking eleventh consecutive clean sheet in the Premier League. They also have defensive injuries however and are up against a Baggies side that has eight goals in their last five home matches.

As for Liverpool, they have conceded careless goals of late and make the trip to the JJB to meet a Wigan side who have won their last five home games. Steve Bruce’s outfit start life without Palacios and Heskey but will still have enough to cause Rafa’s rearguard trouble.

That’s the top three defences covered then and although there are doubts, I’d still be tempted to back both Chelsea and United but advise supplementing these two options with defenders from lower down the fantasy price brackets.

Blackburn at home to a suffering Bolton side look a good option for starters. Rovers have conceded just two goals under the Allarydyce regime in six matches, while opponents Bolton are without a goal in their last four league games. There’s good mid-price defenders on offer at Ewood then – notably Emerton who is set to start in a midfield role once again.

Everton are the form side in defensive terms, going into their home game with Arsenal on the back of five clean sheets in six league games. The Gunners, with Van Persie in hot form, will provide a stern test of the Everton rearguard but with Wenger’s side still struggling for fluency without Fabregas, I can see Everton as decent clean sheet fetching potential again.

Looking further down the fantasy price scale, Sunderland offer some budget potential at home to goal-shy Fulham. Gordon could be restored in goal and McCartney is also back from injury. Anton Ferdinand or Danny Collins make a unlikely fantasy defensive options this week then.

Best For Goals

United have relied on clean sheets and the odd goal to win them games but they take on a West Brom side which has had the heart of its defence torn out and is also without skipper Greening in midfield. You have to back a United win and I can see it being by a two or three goal margin, with the Baggies maybe even nicking one in reply. Berbatov’s run of four goals in four looks good to continue and Ronaldo has another tailor-made opportunity to rediscover form and wreck havoc against a stand-in defence. Whether he’ll take it remains to be seen.

Similarly Chelsea’s own frailty at the back, coupled with the shock of almost losing at home to Stoke last time out, should be enough to inspire a goal-filled performance from Scolari’s men. Boro look unlikely to provide too much resistance defensively given their current run of form. Heavy wins for United and Chelsea in my book then.

Man City will surely fancy their chances of scoring a few at Eastlands when Kinnear’s Newcastle roll into town. The visitors have leaked goals of late and will be without chief destroyer Nicky Butt in midfield. Ireland returns from suspension, Bellamy makes a debut and Robinho should start with some making up to do. It all spells a sizeable win for City.

Rovers also look good for a decent win in their home game with Bolton. It’s eight goals in the last three home games in the league, while Bolton have shipped goals with alarming regularity of late. Another win by a two goal margin or more, perhaps without reply, looks on the cards. More profits for McCarthy, Roberts and Gamst-Pedersen perhaps.

Best For Frustration

On paper Villa look good for a decent away win at struggling Portsmouth but I’d hesitate to bank on a heavy Villa win here. Adams will look to stifle O’Neill’s side who will also have to cope without the significant attacking influence of Ashley Young. Heskey should earn a debut but Campbell and Distin may well be able to handle his particular brand of menace. Agbonlahor will ask a different set of questions of Portsmouth’s defence. His fantasy form has faltered of late and this is a good opportunity to rediscover it, although he’s a late doubt after picking up a knock in the Cup at the weekend. Villa should nick this but results recent results have belied their form, while Portsmouth, buoyed by two new signings today, will go with 4-5-1 and look to frustrate the visitors fantasy investors in their players.

The West Ham vs Hull clash is another match-up that on papers, promises goals with Cole in form and a probable debut for Bullard for the Tigers. Phil Brown will likely continue his recent policy of prioritising defence over attack however, and West Ham and late arrivals on the Carlton Cole bandwagon could be in for a disappointing evening.

I’ve already mentioned that I expect Everton’s clash with Arsenal to be tight. I see few fantasy profits here, aside from a possible clean sheet for the home side. Not a week to back Van Persie’s form in my opinion. Wigan’s tussle with Liverpool is another one that looks tight to call. Both sides have form so something has got to give. This could easily go by way of a 1-1 draw though – with few returns on offer in fantasy terms. I also see the same scoreline as a strong possibility at White Hart Lane – not that there will be much fantasy investment in Spurs right now.